Main » Champions Trophy 2017: Amir redemption part of wonderful Pakistan story

Champions Trophy 2017: Amir redemption part of wonderful Pakistan story

19 June 2017

India was seven wickets down after scoring 154 runs as Pakistan was eyeing victory and on a verge of creating history in the Champions Trophy finale at The Oval on Sunday. This will be the legacy we leave behind, that we beat India in the final.

Babar came out of the opener's shadows, but after Shoaib Malik and he holed out in the off-side deep, Hafeez (57no) hit four fours and three sixes to turn Pakistan's promise into the 300-plus substance required against India's powerhouse batting line-up in these run-fest conditions.

The Golden Ball victor said it was his goal to become the best bowler after Pakistan's tour of West Indies and noted his most memorable wicket was that of England skipper in the semi-final.

Arthur admitted Pakistan were desperate to prove they could go toe to toe with tournament favourites India with the title up for grabs.

Kohli philosophical after Champions final collapseIndia captain Virat Kohli praised Fakhar Zaman's batting approach and said 80 percent of his "high risk shots" came off well. June 12, Cardiff: Beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets- Junaid Khan and Hasan share six wickets as Sri Lanka are bowled out for 236.

India had started with four pace bowlers - Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya - and one spinner - Ravindra Jadeja - in their first match.

But Sharma was out for a duck off the third ball, Kohli went for 5, and Dhawan, the player of the 2013 tournament and a candidate for this one, was out for 21. Zaman's 114 laid the foundation for Pakistan innings and helped them reach to a huge total of 338 for 4, which they defended successfully.

The left-hander fell to another superb delivery by Amir which kissed the outside edge on its way to Sarfraz Ahmed behind the stumps.

"I'm sure that the nation of Pakistan is really happy tonight because they deserve it for what they've been through".

After the first game, played against the team they can not lose to, Pakistan were dead and buried, with the only question being which airline they would use to book their flight back home.

Kohli accepted his side had been second best as he acknowledged Pakistan s "amazing tournament".

In just his fourth match at this level the 27-year-old Fakhar - who had already posted two ODI fifties - completed a 92-ball hundred including two sixes when he swept Ashwin for his 12th four. "We have a young team and credit to my boys". But just when it seemed that he was blazing towards a first worldwide century, he was run out after a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja.

After winning the toss, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said that they are not taking Pakistan for granted and are looking forward to putting their best foot forward.

Several global players also praised the Pakistan team. After adding 20 runs for the fourth wicket with Hafeez, Azam was caught by Yuvraj Singh at the boundary in the 43th over.